Biology – Quantitative Biology – Populations and Evolution
Scientific paper
2006-04-27
Biology
Quantitative Biology
Populations and Evolution
submitted
Scientific paper
Reputed intractable, the question of the origin of viruses has long been neglected. In the modern literature 'Virus evolution' has come to refer to study more akin to population genetics, such as the world-wide scrutiny on new polymorphisms appearing daily in the H5N1 avian flu virus [1], than to the fundamental interrogation: where do viruses come from? This situation is now rapidly changing, due to the coincidence of bold new ideas (and sometimes the revival of old ones), the unexpected features exhibited by recently isolated spectacular viruses [2] (see at URL: www.giantvirus.org), as well as the steady increase of genomic sequences for 'regular' viruses and cellular organisms enhancing the power of comparative genomics [3]. After being considered non-living and relegated in the wings by a majority of biologists, viruses are now pushed back on the center stage: they might have been at the origin of DNA, of the eukaryotic cell, and even of today's partition of biological organisms into 3 domains of life: bacteria, archaea and eukarya. Here, I quickly survey some of the recent discoveries and the new evolutionary thoughts they have prompted, before adding to the confusion with one interrogation of my own: what if we totally missed the true nature of (at least some) viruses?
No associations
LandOfFree
Virus evolution : the emergence of new ideas (and re-emergence of old ones) does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Virus evolution : the emergence of new ideas (and re-emergence of old ones), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Virus evolution : the emergence of new ideas (and re-emergence of old ones) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-21680